by jaycee05
Bambino
Did you know that I dread on watching this drama? I was afraid that it was going to be like Kuitan or Teppan Shoujo Akane. I was wrong! I enjoyed the first episode soooo much. Maybe because I didn’t expect a lot from it? Again, this is a manga adaptation, which I haven’t read. But an anime that reminds me of this drama is Yakitate! Japan, where instead of italian food, the main character is passionate of bread. Another difference between Ban(Matsumoto Jun) and Kazuma(from Yakitate), is that the former is not a tensai and is so full of himself. It served him right to be humiliated and be punched by Katori. Jun, Jun, Jun…why can’t you be humble? I guess that’s the whole point of the story. If we stay along with this drama, soon enough, Ban (pet name: Bambino) will mature into a fine young Italian chef worthy of praise. My only 2 gripes about the first episode were: NO machine dishwasher??? & why do they keep showing the staff’s facial reactions every single minute?? Theme song is sung by Arashi, “We can Make It”. I only like the chorus, because it’s catchy. Jun shouldn’t have sang the opening lines.Seito Shokun! (Attention Students!/My Dear Students)
The worst school drama I’ve last seen was Gachi Baka. The best one and still remains as one of my top favorites is Queen’s Classroom. How does Seito Shokun measure up with this two? Well, I am definitely sure that it won’t live up to be as good as QL, but nonetheless, it’ll be more worth your while than Gachi Baka. Using the same elements of the countless previous school dramas, the lovely Uchiyama Rina plays an overenthusiastic sensei, homeroom teacher to a bunch of kids who lost their faith to adults. Naoko(Uchiyama) is determine to change their minds. But three mystery students known as the 3TD will try and overthrow her from the school by making her life a living hell. I thought this’ll be in a lighter tone than Watashitachi, I guess not. You don’t wanna mess with these students. They are straight out bitter unlike like the prettyboy delinquents of Yankumi’s class. It is based on an old manga so don’t accuse it of imitating GTO, Gokusen, Kinpachi Sensei, etc. Hongo Kanata (Hinata-kun from Himitsu no Hanazono) and Horikita Maki(Nobuta wo Produce) will play the key students in this drama, as for the question if they are members of the 3TD…maybe. But that would be too obvious, ain’t it?
Hotelier
A year ago, I’ve watched the Korean version of this drama. I finished episode 1 and haven’t bothered to download the rest. Koreans do well with their romantic comedies and melodramas, but I think their career/work related dramas can be a bit dull sometimes. On the other hand, Japanese seldom do a straight out romance because they like to inject different additions such as dramatizing various professions (Airlines from Good Luck! and Attention Please, medical related such as Iryu and Nurse Aoi, and of course, there’s also the endless OL dramas,). That’s why after seeing the 1st episode of the J-version of Hotelier, I think they might just grab my interest in this. The most expensive drama of this season, no doubt about it. Half of the drama was shot in Korea(unless they faked it?) and there was a short performance of Bae Yong Jun (this is not fake). I could just see Japanese housewives tuning in to tv asahi to get a glimpse of Yon-sama! Watashitachi no Kyokasho (Our Textbook)
I told you that production and writing will take a backseat, right? Well, if we take those two into account, get serious for a moment and ponder about life and more important issues that concerns our society, this drama should be at the very top. If Pro Dai will scrutinize the happy and memorable moment of our youths, Watashitachi no Kyokasho will touch controversial themes of bullying and neglection of children. The best thing about this drama unlike the others is its unpredictability. I can’t tell how it will unfold in the future. But from the first two episodes I’ve seen, there are already two pivotal dialogues that are stuck in my mind. The main background song is a few bars similar with “All by Myself.” Aside from the appearances of Shida Mirai (14 Sai no Haha, Queen’s Classroom), Ito Atsushi (Densha Otoko) and Kanno Miho, I was pleasantly surprise to see Mizushima Hiro (of Kanojo to no tadashii asobikata and Lovely Complex) playing the strange otaku teacher. I find his “bad guy” performance in episode 2 kinda funny because it’s like taken out of an anime or tokusatsu. Well, he did play Kamen Rider. Maybe that’s why. I haven’t seen Seito Shokun, which is another spring drama this season, but based on its synopsis, it will probably have similar themes like Watashitachi, albeit less heavy.
LIAR GAME
The first episode is short and predictable (think Kurosagi), but strangely, I feel drawn into it. Maybe it’s Shota’s acting, the music, or its fast-paced-jam-packed turn of events. But, yep…I am hooked!Sexy Voice and Robo
It seems so long ago since I’ve watched 1 litre of tears and thought that Aya’s senpai(Matsuyama Kenichi) was a real jerk. Who would know that this same guy will become my favorite, eccentric “L” after his famous performance in the live action of Death Note? Before the start of this season, this is my most anticipated drama. And sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectations. But, hey it gets better and funnier by episode 2. This drama will be repetitive and episodic for sure. It’s about how a robo otaku and an elementary student that has 7(?) voices team up to solve cases. They would stumble upon criminals that are actually good guys and end up helping them. A slash between Kuitan (because of its cheesiness and how its catered for kids) and Kisarazu Cat’s Eye(in relation with the style of solving cases). I say give the first episode a try and if it’s not your taste, then just ditch it. You won’t miss much. There’s a guest apperance of Nakamura Shido, the Be With You actor and voice of Ryuggu from Death Note in the first episode.
